in impeding the
advancement of the Lenox family. Rashly relying on the assurances which
they had received of aid from England, they took up arms against their
sovereign; but finding no support from any quarter, they were soon
compelled to make their escape across the border and seek refuge with
the earl of Bedford, lord warden of the marches. On their arrival in
London, the royal dissembler insisted on their declaring, in presence of
the French and Spanish ambassadors, that their rebellious attempts had
received no encouragement from her; but after this open disavowal, she
permitted them to remain unmolested in her dominions, secretly
supplying them with money and interceding with their offended sovereign
in their behalf.

Melvil acquaints us that when sir Nicholas Throgmorton, on returning
from his embassy, found that the promises which he had made to these
malcontents had been disclaimed both by her majesty and by Randolph, he
"stood in awe neither of queen nor council to declare the verity, that
he had made such promises in her name, whereof the councillors and
craftiest courtiers thought strange, and were resolving to punish him
for avowing the same promise to be made in his mistress' name, had not
he wisely and circumspectly obtained an act of council for his warrant,
which he offered to produce. And the said sir Nicholas was so angry that
he had been made an instrument to deceive the said banished lords, that
he advised them to sue humbly for pardon at their own queen's hand, and
to engage never again to offend her for satisfaction of any prince
alive. And because, as they were then stated, they had no interest, he
penned for them a persuasive letter and sent to her majesty." On this
occasion Throgmorton showed himself a warm friend to Mary's succession
in England, and advised clemency to the banished lords as one mean to
secure it. Mary, highly esteeming him and convinced by his reasons,
resolved to follow his counsels.

Elizabeth never willingly remitted any thing of that rigor against the
puritans which she loved to believe it politic to exercise; but they
were fortunate enough to find an almost avowed patron in Leicester, and
secret favorers in several of her ministers and counsellors; and during
the persecutions of the catholics which followed the marriage of Mary,
she was compelled to press upon them with a less heavy hand.

Archbishop Parker, who was proceeding with much self-satisfaction and
success in